Ahaz

Judean king in the time of Isaiah who engaged in pagan worship and placated the Assyrians.

Background

King of Judah, c.735-715 B.C. Syria and Israel joined forces to besiege Jerusalem, trying to compel Judah to join them against Assyria. Isaiah warned Ahaz to have nothing to do with the coalition. Ahaz appealed to the Assyrians for help and paid them tribute from the Temple treasury. The Assyrians destroyed Syria and Israel, and Judah became a vassal state. Ahaz sacrificed his son to the god Molech and indulged in Canannite fertility rites.